TRANSITION TO ADULT LIFE CREATING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 WORCESTER, MA 1 Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services Employment First! Overview of Employment & Day Services

Goals of Presentation What is Employment First? Review of Blueprint for Success Overview of Employment & Day Services for Adults Important Areas for Consideration Questions and Discussion 2

WHAT IS EMPLOYMENT FIRST? Supports Department’s mission of supporting people to live and work and enjoy fully integrated lives in the community  The belief that everyone can work and gives everyone a chance to get a job  Starts with the presumption that employment should be the first and preferred goal and service option for working age adults  More job opportunities in the community:  Real Jobs for Real Pay- hired at a business earning same pay as other workers  More opportunities for meaningful involvement in inclusive community activities and experiences 3

Why This New Direction? People with Disabilities Are Asking for Real Jobs… Having a job is an important and valued role in people’s lives Everyone has the right to have a job Everyone has the right to get paid fairly for the work they do 4

Why is Having A Job So Important Way to Earn Money - $ Feel proud of accomplishments Builds confidence Meet new people and make new friends Chance to learn new things & develop skills Way to be helpful and productive Status: People respect you for the work you do 5

Blueprint for Success: Employing Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities November 2013 Department of Developmental Services (DDS) 6

A Plan for Jobs and Community Inclusion Commissioner Howe asked a team of people to develop a 4 year plan called the Blueprint for Success. Goals are: More job opportunities Individual planning of service options for every person Community-based day activities, in addition to job training Phase out use of sheltered workshop services 7

Recommendations and Resources To Make This Plan Successful More Funding to support expanded services Training for provider staff on job development and job coaching Assistance for Providers to develop new services Ways to reach more businesses to find more jobs Training on Social Security Work Incentives 8

Other Supports and Activities Information and training for individuals Explore, Prepare, Act training from MASS by self-advocates Information and training on Social Security Benefits Sharing success stories 9

It all starts with Person Centered Planning… More focus on strengths and supports for work and community inclusion for people with disabilities 10

Developing A Positive Personal Profile 11 Dreams and Goals Interests Talents/skills and knowledge What you value-what is important to you Settings/places you prefer Work and Life Experiences Your Learning Style Positive personality traits Dislikes Your Support System Specific challenges you need help with Solutions and supports to help you be successful

What Supports are Helpful to Get on the Road to Employment: Ways to explore and discover interests- through volunteer work, job tours and try-outs Developing a career plan that is right for each person: based on each person’s interests, skills, and settings where you will be successful Job developer who finds the right job match for you Job coach who provides training and follow-up support on the job site Help with transportation and other things to help achieve success 12

What Are the Service Options 13 1-Individual Supported Employment 2- Group Supported Employment 3- Community Based Day Supports Or a combination of these 3 services

Individual Supported Employment Getting a regular job hired and paid by a business: can be part-time or full-time  Same pay and benefits as other workers  Examples: bank, hospital, supermarket, department store A Job Developer who helps you find the right job A Job Coach who helps with:  Training on the job to learn skills  Making friends and getting involved socially on the job  Transportation  Communicating with your boss to make sure everything is going well  Follow-Up Support: solving problems that come up Sometimes people choose to get help to start their own business if that is what is right for them 14

Group Supported Employment  A small group of people (2 up to 8) work at a business with staff from a provider agency  People work for the business at their location  Examples include: packaging, mailings, housekeeping  Job coach always there for training and support  Usually paid by the provider – may be less than minimum wage, but goal is for everyone to earn minimum wage or higher  Some providers develop their own businesses with a group of workers- such as landscaping or cleaning 15

Community Based Day Support Programs Variety of community and center-based activities to develop skills based on person’s interests and needs Career exploration and planning  Job try-outs; discovery of interests  Develop “soft skills” needed on jobs; How to apply for jobs Volunteer Opportunities: nursing homes; animal shelters Internships: greenhouses, hospitals, colleges Community experiences: libraries; adult education Skills training: transportation; money; computer; art A place to see your friends 16

Community Based Day Supports May Be… Social Skills Travel Training Computer time Exercise/Yoga Sign language Cooking class Money Skills Group Meeting Animal Shelter Meals on Wheels Nursing Home Salvation Army Volunteer at office Food Bank Redemption-Recycle Centers Ride to Job Site 17

Day Habilitation Programs DAY HABILITATION PROGRAMS 18 Funded by MassHealth not DDS Medical Model of services- meet medical necessity Therapeutic Focus- Includes specialized services such as PT, OT, speech, nursing Active Treatment/Habilitation Focus: Developmental skills training; Improve level of independence; Socialization Cannot provide vocational, prevocational or any other employment related service

It is important to work closely with your Transition Service Coordinator and Area Office Discuss ideas, explore possibilities & develop a plan Address questions and concerns Explore service options Be clear about your “non- negotiables” – but also be flexible It is a partnership –everyone has a role and can contribute toward the desired outcome 19

Why Work is Important to Me… “Work makes me feel good, it’s freedom… I meet new people every day.” “ I like it because I’m getting paid and it makes me feel independent.” “It gives you a sense of respect.” {Quotes from adults with an Intellectual Disability who are working} 20

Thank You for coming today! For more information: Margaret Van Gelder, DDS